Since 2017, Danny Robins has dedicated his time to exploring the unexplained. From ghosts and extraterrestrials to otherworldly phenomena, he has delved into every corner of the paranormal world. Over the years, he has written ghost-themed stage plays, contributed to spine-chilling television series, and hosted several paranormal podcasts. Among these, the most well-known is Uncanny, where he interviews individuals who have experienced strange and unexplainable events. The podcast has covered a wide range of topics, from poltergeists to UFO sightings.
However, Danny’s latest project, Uncanny: Cold Cases, takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on modern-day occurrences, it revisits some of the UK’s most infamous paranormal cases. While Danny has spent nearly a decade investigating the supernatural, one particular case left an indelible mark on him.
‘The Black Monk of Pontefract is a case that really sticks with me,’ he shared. ‘It took place in Yorkshire and involved a poltergeist haunting that was incredibly intense. There were candlesticks levitating and flying across the room, eggs exploding in people’s faces, and gloves moving through the air without any apparent cause. The situation escalated to the point where there was real physical danger to those living in the house.’
He described how the family reportedly suffered injuries seemingly caused by the poltergeist. ‘If you imagine being in their shoes, experiencing this, it would be truly terrifying,’ he said.
So, what makes this case so unsettling?
According to Danny, the haunting feels like something out of a Hollywood film. He pointed to the testimony of Diane, a girl involved in the case, as particularly disturbing. ‘There was a moment where a crucifix flew across the room and attached itself to her back, leaving what looked like a burn mark,’ he explained. ‘If you accept that two people witnessed this event, it suggests that the impossible is possible.’
What adds to the fear is the implication that the ghost had a deliberate intent to scare and harm. However, Danny is hesitant to label the entity as demonic, which raises an interesting question.
Throughout his work, Danny has never once referred to demons or demonic activity. This is unusual, given the prevalence of such themes in popular culture. He explained that while films like The Conjuring often involve demonic entities, real-life claims of possession can be extremely damaging. ‘Telling someone their home is haunted can have serious consequences,’ he said. ‘We take the ethical implications very seriously and always proceed with caution.’
Danny also noted that the concept of demonology is deeply rooted in Northern European and American religious traditions. ‘Other cultures may have entirely different ideas about the divine and the devil,’ he added. ‘If you’re not religious, why would you believe in demons? It’s a controversial and debatable topic, so we prefer to focus on human psychology rather than spiritual explanations.’
But not all cases are easily explained. Some stories defy logic, even for experts in the field. One such example is the mysterious encounter known as Sam the Sandown Clown. This 1973 incident involved two children on the Isle of Wight who met a figure they called Sam, who claimed not to be a ghost.
‘Is it a ghost? A UFO? Or something else entirely?’ Danny mused. ‘It’s a strange story. The children saw a clown-like figure that seemed inhuman, but they didn’t find it frightening at first. It wasn’t until later that it felt unsettling. Plus, the girl’s father kept seeing UFOs, which adds another layer to the mystery.’
Danny acknowledges that many of the witnesses are no longer around, making it difficult to verify their accounts. However, he believes these cases continue to captivate people because they hold unresolved mysteries. ‘Some famous cases, like Amityville, have lost their credibility over time,’ he said. ‘But the cases we’re looking at in Cold Cases remain enigmatic and compelling.’
Despite the challenges, Danny finds the process of uncovering these stories rewarding. ‘Many of these cases have been part of our childhood folklore,’ he said. ‘Revisiting them with the knowledge gained from Uncanny allows us to explore them in new ways.’
Uncanny: Cold Cases is available weekly on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, and can also be watched on the Uncanny YouTube channel. Additionally, Uncanny: Fear of the Dark will be held at Soho Walthamstow on 5 & 6 May.
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